SDU and method for dynamically managing wireless call settings

ABSTRACT

The present application describes various embodiments that address the need to dynamically manage wireless call settings to more optimally utilize system capacity. When a radio access network (RAN)(e.g.,  105, 110 , and  120 ) receives a data packet (e.g.,  200 ) associated with a wireless call, it determines an application type associated with the data packet and/or an internet domain associated with the call. The RAN then adjusts call settings associated with the wireless call based on the application type and/or on the internet domain. In this manner, call settings such as, but not limited to, a target frame error rate, radio link protocol (RLP) parameters, a supplemental traffic channel (SCH) assignment priority, a carrier assignment group, and a billing rate can be applied more dynamically with respect to services used in the call.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to wirelesscommunications and, in particular, to dynamically managing wireless callsettings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In 3G (3rd generation) wireless systems (i.e., cdma2000: 3G 1X,1X-EV-DO, etc.), call settings such as the target frame error rate (FER)for the supplemental channel (SCH) can impact user throughput andoverall system throughput. In contrast to voice calls, the trafficgenerated by packet data calls (e.g., web browsing, email downloading,etc.) is very bursty and highly varying, with small durations of hightraffic separated by larger durations of little or no traffic. There area growing number of applications using the SCH air-interface to provideservice to wireless clients. Some of these applications can tolerate ahigher radio link protocol (RLP) abort rate than others, and thus ahigher FER than others. Accordingly, it is a poor means of utilizingsystem capacity to have static SCH FER settings for data calls whendifferent types of application traffic are present.

[0003] In many existing implementations, the target SCH FER isstatically set to 5% for all types of data calls. Simultaneously, theremay be users running applications not requiring a 5% FER, who couldafford a higher FER, while others requiring a FER less than 5%. Labresults show that if the target SCH FER is set too low, user throughputincreases to nearly the physical layer throughput. However, this comesat the cost of a high traffic channel gain, or a larger share of basestation power. As a result, fewer users can be served. In contrast, ahigher FER requires a lower traffic channel gain and a correspondinglysmaller share of the base station power, allowing more users to beserved simultaneously. However, if the target SCH FER is set too high,user throughput drops due to the increased number of retransmissions.Moreover, the increased number of retransmissions can result inincreased user delay.

[0004] Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus and method fordynamically managing wireless call settings to more optimally utilizesystem capacity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 is a block diagram depiction of a wireless communicationsystem in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0006]FIG. 2 is a block diagram depiction of a GRE packet in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

[0007]FIG. 3 is a logic flow diagram of steps executed by an SDU inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The present application describes various embodiments thataddress the need to dynamically manage wireless call settings to moreoptimally utilize system capacity. When a radio access network (RAN)receives a data packet associated with a wireless call, it determines anapplication type associated with the data packet and/or an internetdomain associated with the call. The RAN then adjusts call settingsassociated with the wireless call based on the application type and/oron the internet domain. In this manner, call settings such as, but notlimited to, a target frame error rate, radio link protocol (RLP)parameters, a supplemental traffic channel (SCH) assignment priority, acarrier assignment group, and a billing rate can be applied moredynamically with respect to services used in the call.

[0009] The disclosed embodiments can be more fully understood withreference to FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 1 is a block diagram depiction of awireless communication system 100 in accordance with a first embodimentof the present invention. Communication system 100 is a well-known CodeDivision Multiple Access (CDMA) system, specifically a CDMA 2000 system,which is based on the Telecommunications Industry Association/ElectronicIndustries Association (TIA/EIA) standard IS-2000, suitably modified toimplement the present invention. However, the present invention is notlimited to a particular wireless technology. Therefore, in alternateembodiments, communication system 100 may utilize other communicationsystem protocols such as, but not limited to, UMTS, 1x EVDV, 1x EVDO,GPRS, EDGE, and WLANs.

[0010] The first embodiment of the present invention includes a radioaccess network (RAN) and remote units, such as mobile station (MS) 101.However, the present invention is not limited to remote units that aremobile. For example, a remote unit may comprise a desktop computerwirelessly connected to the radio access network.

[0011] Those skilled in the art will recognize that FIG. 1 does notdepict all of the network equipment necessary for system 100 to operatebut only those logical entities particularly relevant to the descriptionof embodiments of the present invention. For example, system 100comprises well-known entities such as base site 105, frame selection anddistribution unit (SDU) 110, Authentication, Authorization andAccounting (AAA) server 130, and packet data serving node (PDSN) 120,which interfaces with internet protocol (IP) network 140. Those skilledin the art are aware of the many ways each of these entities can beimplemented and/or purchased from wireless communications companies suchas “MOTOROLA.”

[0012] SDU 110 comprises well-known data communication entities such asnetwork interfaces 111 and 112, frame buffer 113, database 114, andprocessor 115. These data communication entities typically comprisecomponents such as processors, memory, and/or logic circuitry designedto implement algorithms that have been expressed as computerinstructions and/or in circuitry. Given an algorithm or a logic flow,those skilled in the art are aware of the many design and developmenttechniques available to implement an SDU that performs the given logic.

[0013] Although not explicitly shown, system 100 further comprises basetransceiver stations (BTSs), which interface with devices such as basesite controllers (BSCs), mobile switching centers/virtual locationregisters (MSCNLR), home location registers (HLR), etc. In a firstembodiment of the present invention, a known CDMA 2000 RAN is adaptedusing known telecommunications design and development techniques toimplement the logic of the present invention. The result is the RAN ofsystem 100 (e.g., BS 105, SDU 110, and PDSN 120), which performs themethod described with respect to FIG. 3. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that the present invention may be implemented in and acrossvarious physical components of the system 100 RAN, not just in SDU 110as described with respect to the first embodiment.

[0014] Operation of a first embodiment, in accordance with the presentinvention, occurs substantially as follows. When MS 101 is involved in awireless call that uses a data service such as web browsing, forexample, data packets are routed to and from MS 101 via SDU 110. Thus,network interfaces 111 and 112 are sending and receiving such datapackets to and from base sites (e.g., BS 105) and PDSN 120,respectively. Frame buffer 113 stores data packets for processing byprocessor 115, and database 114 stores call settings for individualapplication types and for individual internet domains.

[0015] In the first embodiment, call settings such as a target frameerror rate, radio link protocol (RLP) parameters, a supplemental trafficchannel (SCH) assignment priority, a carrier assignment group, and abilling rate are stored for certain application types and for certaininternet domains as well as a set of default call settings. Individualcall settings may be stored for application types such as real-timevoice, real-time streaming video, video phone, Transmission ControlProtocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), and Wireless ApplicationProtocol (WAP). In the first embodiment, these call settings arepre-determined by network operators, presumably set to balance qualityof service and system capacity concerns for particular application typesand particular internet domains.

[0016] For example, a real-time audio application may be more optimallysupported by setting a relatively low FER target to minimize the numberof packets that must be retransmitted or that are lost becauseretransmission takes too much time. RLP parameters such as the number ofrounds and the number of NACKs per round may be more optimally set toabort retries quickly, since a real-time audio application may just dumplate arriving packets anyway. Similarly, call settings for SCHassignment priority, carrier assignment group, and billing rate can bedetermined by network operators to apply to individual applications.

[0017] As with particular applications, network operators can specifycall settings to apply to particular internet domains. For example,network operators could establish a special set of call settings for aninternet domain from which users download music to optimize systemresources as well as perhaps to reflect special billing agreements madewith the domain operator. In alternative embodiments of the presentinvention, only a subset of the call settings mentioned above may beindividually set and they may only be set on either anapplication-by-application or a domain-by-domain basis, but not both aswith the first embodiment.

[0018] During a wireless data call involving MS 101, SDU 110 receivesdata packets from MS 101 via base site 105. If this call involves datanetworks external to the RAN (e.g., web browsing), then SDU 110 may alsoreceive data packets via IP network 140 and PDSN 120. At least some ofthe received data packets are stored in frame buffer 113. In order toapply the call settings stored in database 114, processor 115 determinesthe application type associated with a data packet from the wirelesscall.

[0019] In the first embodiment of the present invention, processor 115does this by examining the port number in the transport protocol headerof the data packet. Since each data packet is or at least comprises ageneral routing encapsulation (GRE) packet, obtaining the port numbersimply requires using an offset value (i.e., a pointer) to examine theportion of the packet containing the port number. This is illustrated inFIG. 2, which shows an exemplary GRE packet containing a GRE header, aPPP header, an IP header, and a TCP/UDP header. As shown the TCP/UDPheader includes a port number field. Since each port is mapped to anapplication, this port number will indicate the application typecurrently associated with the wireless call. Processor 115 then adjuststhe call settings associated with the wireless call based on the callsettings stored in database 114 for the application type determined.

[0020] Also during a wireless data call in which MS 101 is accessing oneor more internet domains, processor 115 may also adjust the callsettings based on the call settings stored in database 114 for theinternet domain of the wireless call. To determine the current internetdomain of the call, SDU 110 queries AM server 130 via PDSN 120. Networkinterface 112 receives the internet domain associated with the wirelesscall from AAA server 130 via PDSN 120. Processor 115 then adjusts thecall settings accordingly. While the call settings are primarilyadjusted within SDU 110 (and applied to the call in subsequent SDUprocessing), a new billing rate is communicated to a billing serverwithin the RAN.

[0021]FIG. 3 is a logic flow diagram of steps executed by an SDU inaccordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. Logicflow 300 begins (302) when a data packet associated with a wireless callis received (304). If it is time to possibly update the call settings(306), then the logic proceeds, otherwise it restarts. Processing todetermine whether the call settings should be adjusted is performed on aperiodic basis after an initial determination at the beginning of thecall, in the first embodiment.

[0022] The rate at which the application type is determined verses theinternet domain is determined differs. Because the application type canbe determined relatively quickly from the data packet, it can bemonitored more often. In fact, in the first embodiment, thedeterminations are synchronized with the transmission of ExtendedSupplemental Channel Assignment Messages (ESCAMs) on the SCH. Theperiodic determinations are scheduled to occur just prior to each cycleof periodically updating (i.e., announcing) the target FER in theESCAMs. Thus, an application type change can be detected and the targetFER subsequently adjusted quite responsively.

[0023] In other words, when it is time to check the application type(308) the determination is made using the data packet (310), and thepredetermined call settings are applied based on the application typedetermined (316). Similarly, when it is time to check the internetdomain of the call (312), the AAA server is accessed (314), and thepre-determined call settings are applied based on the domain determined(316). In the first embodiment, the domain is determined each time a newupload or download begins, i.e., when data traffic resumes after a 3second or longer gap. In alternative embodiments, the domain may bedetermined more periodically, e.g., once per second when there is datato inspect.

[0024] As embodied above, the present invention allows network operatorsto establish call settings for individual applications and internetdomains that are better tailored to the requirements of the particularservices involved. Since these call settings are dynamically appliedduring a call as the services utilized change, it is possible toincrease both the quality of service experienced by a user and thecapacity of the system, by optimizing call setting trade-offs on aper-service basis.

[0025] In the foregoing specification, the present invention has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, one ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications andchanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of the present invention. In addition, thoseof ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements in thedrawings are illustrated for simplicity and clarity. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help improve an understanding of thevarious embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed above with regard to specific embodiments of the presentinvention. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, andany element(s) that may cause or result in such benefits, advantages, orsolutions, or cause such benefits, advantages, or solutions to becomemore pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, oressential feature or element of any or all the claims.

[0027] As used herein and in the appended claims, the term “comprises,”“comprising,” or any other variation thereof is intended to refer to anonexclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article ofmanufacture, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does notinclude only those elements in the list, but may include other elementsnot expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article ofmanufacture, or apparatus. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, aredefined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein,is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein,is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or“having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., openlanguage). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected,although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically orelectrically. The term “program” (or “programming”), as used herein, isdefined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on acomputer system. A program, programming, or computer program, mayinclude a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, anobject implementation, an executable application, an applet, a servlet,a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load libraryand/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on acomputer system.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for dynamically managing wireless callsettings comprising: receiving by a radio access network (RAN) a datapacket associated with a wireless call; determining an application typeassociated with the data packet; and adjusting at least one call settingassociated with the wireless call based on the application type.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the data packet is received via a datanetwork external to the RAN.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the datapacket is received from a mobile unit involved in the wireless call. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein determining the application typeassociated with the data packet comprises obtaining a portion of atransport protocol header of the data packet.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the portion of the transport protocol header comprises a portnumber.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining the applicationtype associated with the data packet comprises determining theapplication type associated with the port number.
 7. The method of claim4, wherein the data packet comprises a general routing encapsulation(GRE) packet.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the application typecomprises an application type selected from the group consisting ofreal-time audio, real-time streaming video, video phone, TransmissionControl Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), WirelessApplication Protocol (WAP).
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein adjustingat least one call setting associated with the wireless call based on theapplication type comprises updating a target frame error rate for thewireless call.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting at least onecall setting associated with the wireless call based on the applicationtype comprises updating a billing rate for the wireless call.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, wherein adjusting at least one call settingassociated with the wireless call based on the application typecomprises updating a channel assignment priority for the wireless call.12. The method of claim 11, wherein the channel assignment priorityindicates an assignment priority for assignment of a supplementaltraffic channel.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting at leastone call setting associated with the wireless call based on theapplication type comprises selecting at least one new radio linkprotocol (RLP) parameter to apply to the wireless call.
 14. The methodof claim 13, wherein the at least one new RLP parameter comprises atleast one parameter selected from the group consisting of number ofrounds and number of NACKs per round.
 15. The method of claim 1, whereinadjusting at least one call setting associated with the wireless callbased on the application type comprises selecting a new carrierassignment group to apply to the wireless call.
 16. The method of claim1, further comprising: receiving a plurality of data packets during thewireless call; periodically determining an application type associatedwith individual data packets of the plurality of data packets; andperiodically updating a target frame error rate for the wireless call.17. The method of claim 16, wherein each cycle of periodicallydetermining an application type is scheduled just prior to each cycle ofperiodically updating the target frame error rate for the wireless calland wherein the target frame error rate is updated each cycle based onthe determination of an application type scheduled just prior.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein periodically updating a target frame errorrate for the wireless call comprises sending an Extended SupplementalChannel Assignment Message (ESCAM) on a supplemental traffic channel.19. A method for dynamically managing wireless call settings comprising:receiving by a radio access network (RAN) a data packet associated witha wireless call; determining an internet domain associated with thewireless call; and adjusting at least one call setting associated withthe wireless call based on the internet domain.
 20. The method of claim19, wherein determining an internet domain associated with the wirelesscall comprises accessing an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting(AAA) server.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein adjusting at least onecall setting associated with the wireless call based on the internetdomain comprises updating a target frame error rate for the wirelesscall.
 22. The method of claim 19, wherein adjusting at least one callsetting associated with the wireless call based on the internet domaincomprises updating a billing rate for the wireless call.
 23. The methodof claim 19, wherein adjusting at least one call setting associated withthe wireless call based on the internet domain comprises updating achannel assignment priority for the wireless call.
 24. The method ofclaim 19, wherein adjusting at least one call setting associated withthe wireless call based on the internet domain comprises selecting atleast one new radio link protocol (RLP) parameter to apply to thewireless call.
 25. The method of claim 19, wherein adjusting at leastone call setting associated with the wireless call based on the internetdomain comprises selecting a new carrier assignment group to apply tothe wireless call.
 26. A frame selection and distribution unit (SDU)comprising: a frame buffer adapted to store a data packet associatedwith a wireless call; a database adapted to store at least one callsetting for individual application types; and a processor, operablycoupled to the frame buffer and the database, adapted to determine anapplication type associated with the data packet and adapted to adjustat least one call setting associated with the wireless call based on theat least one call setting stored in the database for the applicationtype.
 27. A frame selection and distribution unit (SDU) comprising: adatabase adapted to store at least one call setting for individualinternet domains; and a processor, operably coupled to the database,adapted to adjust at least one call setting associated with the wirelesscall based on the at least one call setting stored in the database forthe internet domain associated with the wireless call.
 28. The SDU ofclaim 27, further comprising a network interface adapted to receive theinternet domain associated with the wireless call from a packet dataserving node (PDSN).